The Birth of the New Saintess (2)
Sein’s departure for the Holy Kingdom alongside Saintess Audrey was now set in stone. Once word spread that the Saintess had come to the Academy specifically to find her successor, Sein became an overnight celebrity.
Audrey and Sein rode together in a radiant carriage bound for the Holy Kingdom. As the vehicle rolled past, students from the Academy swarmed the sides of the road, screaming at the top of their lungs.
Saintess Audrey gazed at the girl who would become the next Saintess and smiled gently. She spoke in an effort to ease Sein’s tension.
Even as she spoke, Audrey’s mind was swirling with countless thoughts.
‘This child… is the one who will prevent the calamities of the future…’
‘I must pass on everything I have to her.’
‘I worry I’m burdening her with far too much…’
‘Please forgive me for placing such heavy chains upon your shoulders…’
Sein, who had been blankly staring into space, suddenly turned to Audrey.
‘And that hero happens to be the previous generation’s hero, so there’s truly no need to worry.’
The carriage rattled on, wheels turning steadily toward the Holy Kingdom. Road signs announcing their arrival and the faint trace of holy power that washed over them the moment they crossed the border made it clear—they had entered the Holy Kingdom.
Feeling that subtle holy energy, Sein finally realized she had truly arrived. Birds soared freely through the sky, butterflies danced on the breeze. Could she one day live as freely as they did?
The power of regression had been both opportunity and shackle to her. A cycle of fresh starts and inevitable destruction. This time, she would use her own strength to ensure that ending never came again.
The night before Sein left for the Holy Kingdom, she and Eiron met in secret under the cover of darkness.
Eiron looked at her and spoke first.
Sein relayed everything Audrey had told her, word for word. Eiron listened with a grave expression, then finally spoke.
If the World Tree’s foresight is as powerful as they say, it might know something. When I return to Wydegraesil, I wonder what the World Tree will say… Hmm, what should I do…
Sein narrowed her eyes and began glaring at Eiron with an intensity that could kill. Eiron avoided that oppressive gaze and muttered quietly.
The moment Eiron finished speaking, Sein spat out a curse laced with pure contempt. But she was about to become a Saintess starting tomorrow. She barely managed to calm herself and asked again.
A High Elf like me returned as a broken shell. The other elves aren’t exactly friendly toward the Hero Party either. If anything, they’re probably hostile.
Suddenly, Sein grabbed Eiron’s cheek and yanked hard.
Sein spoke with deadly seriousness. Eiron, listening, thought to herself:
‘This crazy bitch… A holy war? Has she actually lost her mind?’
‘Tsk… Maybe I can sneak off with Ian while Sein’s gone… Hehe.’
Eiron flinched violently. Sein had somehow read her delusional thoughts with terrifying accuracy. Eiron trembled in genuine fear.
This is what they call yandere, huh? That level of obsession is insane… This crazy bitch…
The time to part had finally come.
SLAP!
Sein swung with all her might and smacked Eiron square on the back. The full-powered strike made Eiron let out a bizarre shriek.
And so their secret nighttime conversation came to an end. Just what would become of Ian’s fate from here on?
The carriage door opened with a heavy clunk. Saintess Audrey and Sein stepped out.
The moment they arrived in the Holy Kingdom, they were greeted by a city completely drowned in white. Everyone wore white clothes. The houses were white. The objects were white. Everything—absolutely everything—was white.
What the hell is this place…?
What the… Saintess-nim is scary… She’s not even multiple personalities, but that sudden drop in tone is terrifying… And I’m supposed to live in this insane place covered in white? Even the food is white…? Is everyone here crazy?
The Holy Kingdom was a place Sein had never seen or visited in any previous round. After all, the Witch of Destruction, Audrey, had wiped it all out…
Maybe she destroyed everything because she couldn’t stand looking at all this white? Maybe she wasn’t the Witch of Destruction but the Hero of Destruction… Wait, Sein, get a grip! Are you insane? How can you sympathize with the Witch of Destruction?
…But no matter how I think about it, she’s the GOAT. Who could possibly live surrounded by this much white? It doesn’t make sense.
I knew I could trust you, Saintess-sensei. There’s no way I could live in this pure-white insane asylum. I wonder what kind of place it is… I’m actually looking forward to it now.
I can’t take this anymore. Witch of Destruction… you were right. This insane amount of white deserves to go extinct.
Due to the effect of the Holy Baptism, you will not fall into corruption.
…Huk. What was I just thinking…?
The shock must have been that severe. As expected of the Holy Kingdom. This place was no joke.
Maybe even demons would scream in horror at the sight of all this white? That’s a perfectly reasonable suspicion.
Sein had nearly fallen into corruption for a moment, but the baptism brought her back to her senses. As she and Audrey chatted, they arrived at the largest cathedral in the Holy Kingdom.
The massive doors creaked open with an eerie groan. The believers inside greeted the two women with reverence.
Everyone in the grand temple welcomed Audrey and Sein with open arms.
So this is what being a Saintess is like. They’re all obsessed with color, but… it doesn’t seem so bad. That’s a relief, at least.
As Sein and Audrey tried to enter the inner chamber together, a priest who appeared to be of high rank blocked their path.
Haa… The archbishop… They’re interfering again.
Those old geezers are going to start complaining again… I hope this ends quickly. If they cause any more trouble, then…
Audrey leaned close to Sein and whispered into her ear.
Sein’s mind went completely blank for a second.
Is this really the Holy Kingdom…? The Saintess herself is telling me to go cause a scene with the archbishops…? Where did the holy and noble Holy Kingdom I knew disappear to?
Aigoo, this is seriously fucked up…